The Ministry of Interior has rolled out a programme aimed at accelerating the ongoing efforts by the government to attain 15 billions trees by 2032.
The initiative to be spearheaded by chiefs across the country was launched Monday by Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo in Kikuyu Subcounty, Kiambu.
It is dubbed Chiefs’ Climate Action Day.
According to President William Ruto, the country’s tree cover is currently at 12 per cent and the target is to increase to 30 per cent as part of measures to address the effects of climate change.
Speaking at the event, Omollo said the chief-led initiative is in response to the pressing need for tailored early warning systems and information networks to address the country’s unique climate security challenges.
“The launch marks a shift in how the government engages chiefs in national programmes focusing on innovative methods that prioritises results and tangible outcomes,” he said.
About the initiative
The Climate Action Day will be held on the first Friday of every month.
Every chief is expected to mobilise the public and other stakeholders to plant at least 250 trees in their locations.
There are a total of 3, 950 chiefs in the country.
Omollo said the administrators will monitor and report progress, using standardized tools to ensure trees were well-cared for.
He exuded confidence that the administrators would succeed in the climate endeavor, as they were closely connected to the communities they serve.
“Chiefs are at the heart of our strategy as National Government Administrative Officers, coordinating resources and efforts at the most local level,” he added.
During the last National Tree Growing Day, the government through the coordination of the chiefs made huge progress by helping to plant 34 million trees.
The Ministry has since has since grown the number to 99 million almost hitting the yearly target issued by the Ministry of Environment.
